As a result of the 37% decline in Alcon’s share price at the end of 2008 to USD 8
9.19 from the price paid for the initial 24.8% stake, Novartis performed an impairment test on the in
vestment’s carrying value. This test assessed the “value in use” to Novartis of this strategic in
vestment by valuing estimated discounted cash flows and future dividend streams from Alcon against the “fair value less costs to sell” of this stake, as measured by t
he closing ...[+++] price on December 31, 2008, on the NYSE for the 23% publicly traded Alcon shares.